Banned Chelsea flop Mykhailo Mudryk sets sights on Olympics in huge career change

Banned Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk is said to be contemplating a major career shift following his FA charge over a failed doping test. The Ukrainian winger was provisionally banned last year after returning a positive result for the prohibited performance-enhancing substance meldonium. After a thorough inquiry, he received formal charges earlier in mid-June, prompting Chelsea to issue an official statement.

"We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of Regulations 3 and 4 of The FA's Anti-Doping Regulations. As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time," it read. Facing a potential four-year ban from football, Mudryk is reportedly contemplating a dramatic career shift.

As per Spanish publication Marca, the 24-year-old - signed for £88million in January 2023 - has set his sights on competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a sprinter for Ukraine.

The report further states that he has been training with former Olympians but would need to meet World Athletics' minimum requirements and also pass the Ukrainian trials in 2027 to have any chance of participating.

Blues manager Enzo Maresca offered his thoughts on Mudryk during a press briefing ahead of his team's Club World Cup encounter with Flamengo.

"I spoke with Mischa in Poland when we played the Conference League final [vs Real Betis]," Maresca said. "I haven't spoken with him since then.

"I didn't see the news but it was communicated to me. There's nothing more I can add because I don't have more information. Mischa is a Chelsea player. Until he is not, I will trust. And that goes for all the players.

"Last time I spoke to him he was quite good. I didn't see him worried. I haven't spoken to him since then so I don't know, but for sure we will have contact with him."

Mudryk's desire to become a sprinter isn't too surprising given his explosive pace, one of his most notable attributes in football. This was clearly evident during his debut for Chelsea back in January 2023 against Liverpool at Anfield.

The ex-Shakhtar Donetsk star broke records in that match as he hit an astonishing speed of 36.63 km/h. The following season he was clocked at speeds of 35.79 km/h.